Flood-fence



(No Model.)

J. M. & J..W-. BIRD.

FLOOD FENCE.

No. 592,188. Patented 00t. 19,1,897.

l 1 I? I 1 l, My

Madam To all whom, it concern..-

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. BIRD AND JOHN W. BIRD, OF MOSSY CREEK, TENNESSEE.

FLOOD-FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Iletters Patent N 0. 592,188, dated October 19, 1897. Application filed September 4, 1897. Serial Ila-650,685. (No model.)

Be it known that we, JAMES M. BIRD and JOHN W. BIRD, citizens of the United States, residing at Mossy Creek, in the county of J efferson and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Flood- Fences, of which the following is a specification..

Our invention relates to flood-fences, and has for its object to provide a fence of this character which is normally held in an up right position and is adapted to drop automatically in case of high water.

Our invention consists in the improved construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the panels in an upright position. Fig. 2 is an end view showing the panels down and in dotted'lines in different positions. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the supports.

The letter A indicates thefence, the sections B B of which consist of end posts a, connected by wooden panels b; or said posts may be connected by wires, if so desired. The end posts b are suitably pivoted in standards 0, which are driven into the ground and extend a short distance above the latter. The standards c carry stops d, which may consist of bolts or bars of iron driven through the standards, as shown, or, if desired, asuitable block of wood or other material may be used. The purpose of these stops is to prevent the panels swingingpast'a vertical position in their rising movement and to aid in supporting them in an upright position. In addition to the stops d we may use, if deemed necessary or desirable, a swinging support 6, which is pivoted to the posts a. On the opposite side of the fence, or in the direction of the running stream, we provide swinging supports f, carrying floats or paddles g, and at their lower ends having'the extensions h, pivoted thereto at e, and forming therewith a knee-joint. Without the extensions h the ends of the swinging supports f might become so firmly embedded in the soil that the operation of the water 011 the floats or paddles would be insufficient to move or swing them outward. By our construction, as the water rises and strikes the floats or paddles g, the supports will immediately yield or bend at the joint '5 and allow the supports to swing outward and the panels to drop. When the panels are in an upright position, the upper ends of the extensions h bear inward against a suitable stop, which may be the float or paddle g, and forms, with the part f, a continuous firm support for the panels.

It will of course be understood that our fence is intended to be placed near the margin of a river or stream which in rainy weather is liable to rise to a considerable extent and overrun its banks. Stationary fences in such localities are more or less liable to be broken down and carried away by the running water.

It is evident that as our fence is automatically dropped by the action of the water, and when in this lowered position ofiers but slight resistance to the running water, this danger will be reduced to the minimum.

Having described our invention, what we claim is 1. In a flood-fence,-the combination with the pivoted fence-sections, of supports pivoted at their upper ends to said sections and having at their lower ends pivoted extensions to engage the ground, substantially as described.

2. In a flood-fence, the combination with the pivoted sections of supports pivoted at their upper ends to said sections and having at their lower ends pivoted extensions to engage the ground, and a stop on the supports to maintain the extension normally in a fixed extended position, substantially as described.

3. In a flood-fence, the combination with thepivoted sections of supports pivoted at their upper ends to said sections and having at their lower ends pivoted extensions to engage the ground, of a float or paddle on said supports affording a stop for the upper ends of the extensions, substantially as described.

4:. In a flood-fence, the combination with the standards of fence-sections pivoted thereon carrying swinging supports, and a stop on said standards to limit the swing of the section in one direction, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES M. BIRD.

, JOHN IV. BIRD.

Witnesses:

J. T. WATKINS, SAM FRANKLIN. 

